2015 Vinery Stud Stakes Winner Fenway Upsets First Seal

In a big upset for the first Group 1 on The BMW Day, the Lee & Shannon Hope-trained Victorian raider Fenway dug deep and beat home the odds-on favourite First Seal in the Vinery Stud Stakes 2015 at Rosehill Gardens.

21-1 outsider Fenway (inside) beats First Seal (outside) in an upset 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes result on The BMW Day in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.

John Thompson’s Flight Stakes winner First Seal, coming off a Coolmore Classic second against the older mares, jumped at $1.90 to win a second Group 1 in the $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

The day’s in-form hoop James McDonald had the ride and the duo settled midfield around eighth in running before moving right up on the outside to challenge the frontrunners over the final few hundred metres.

It was First Seal’s second look at the 2000m after a second to the Hampton Court in the Spring Champion Stakes last year, and again she was beaten by one.

In a gutsy effort and thanks to a brilliant ride by jockey Blake Shinn, Seymour-based High Chaparral filly Fenway ($21) beat home First Seal ($1.90) by a neck while the impressive John Sargent-trained Wakeful Stakes winner Thunder Lady ($41) charged home for third to finish off the Vinery Stud Stakes trifecta.

The Vinery Stud Stakes field was led around today by the Gai Waterhouse-trained Adrift who took up the lead from Amicus while the eventual winner Fenway rattled up to settle third on the inside of Crown Oaks winner Set Square.

Fenway pushed up on the outside to hit the front with 250m to travel, First Seal peeling off her and given every chance with the last shot but unable to get there in an effort that was disappointing despite the tight margin.

It was an emotional win for Shinn, who lost the ride on First Seal but atoned in an all-family affair with a ride his brother Ryan Shinn described as “15 out of 10”, the hoop thrilled to win the Group 1 for his step-father Lee, who was at home at Kilmore missing the win today, and step-brother Shannon.

“First Group 1 for my family, it just means so much,” Shinn said.

“For my step dad and step brother – this is what it’s all about. It’s a fairytale come true.

“It is awesome. Myself, I wouldn’t have got to where I am today without my step brother and step dad. This is just a testament to them.

“It’s unbelievable. I can’t describe the feeling.”

Shannon Hope was also in high spirits after the victory, happy to credit both the filly and his step-brother’s ride.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said.

“She ticked all the boxes coming here and it was a great ride, we couldn’t be happier.

“He (Shinn) never hesitated and we really appreciate him riding her.

“There’s not a hell of a lot of her and she’s only going to be better in six months.

“She’s done really well since she’s been here. She always promised a lot, but it was a good day to produce a win.”

Hope also confirmed plans to back-up in the $1 million Group 1Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick in a fortnight.

Hope said he was 100% confident Fenway, who came off a fourth to Noble Protector in the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington from March 14, would run out the mile and a half.

“She’ll run 2400 no worries,” he said.

“Not a doubt in the world. She’ll go there.”

Her price to win the 2015 Australian Oaks on Day 2 of The Championships, April 11, is also set to be slashed at bookmakers around the country.

Next-up at Rosehill is the marquee race of the meet, The BMW Stakes, for which Ladbrokes.com.au is offering Best Tote or SP + 20%!

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